The study is being conducted as the most common side effect of the HIV drug atazanavir (taken with ritonavir) is hyperbilirubinaemia. Bilirubin is a normal waste product from the body and gets broken down in the liver so it can leave the body through the gut. Atazanavir slows the breakdown of this chemical, which can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and/or scleral icterus (yellowing of the eyes). This is completely harmless; in fact up to 1 in 10 of the UK population have an inherited condition that causes the same yellowing. However, some patients don't like this side effect and it is the commonest reason for switching off the drug.

A study in people with Gilberts syndrome (the inherited condition that causes the same changes in the chemical bilirubin) showed that a mineral supplement (zinc sulphate) reduced the levels of bilirubin in the blood. The aim of this study is to see if using zinc supplements can achieve the same effect in patients with high bilirubin due to atazanavir use.

To assess the change in unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia following acute and chronic administration of zinc sulphate during atazanavir/ritonavir therapy. [ Time Frame: baseline and day 29 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Change in serum unconjugated bilirubin concentrations when atazanavir/ritonavir is added to zinc sulphate, adjusted for period effect

Secondary Outcome Measures:

safety and tolerability of zinc sulphate supplement when given concomitantly with atazanavir/ritonavir [ Time Frame: baseline and day 14 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Assessment of the impact of adding zinc sulphate to atazanavir/ritonavir-based HAART on grade 2-4 laboratory abnormalities and adverse events.

To assess atazanavir plasma exposure in the presence of zinc and relationship between the latter and hyperbilirubin during zinc intake. [ Time Frame: baseline and day 14 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Atazanavir plasma exposure in the presence of zinc and relationship between the latter and hyperbilirubin during zinc intake.

Zinc sulphate 125mg (1 Solvazinc tablet) once daily orally after dissolution in water, day 2 to day 15

Drug: 1 Solvazinc tablet, day 2 to day 15

Zinc sulphate 125mg, day 2 to day 15

Other Name: Zinc sulphate

Experimental: Arm B- late Solvazinc group

Zinc sulphate 125mg (1 Solvazinc tablet) once daily orally after dissolution in water, day 15 to day 28

Drug: 1 Solvazinc tablet, day 15 to day 28

Zinc sulphate 125mg, day 15 to day 28

Other Name: Zinc sulphate

Detailed Description:

Atazanavir is a protease inhibitor (PI) and, like other agents in this class, requires pharmacological 'boosting' with the cytochrome p450 inhibitor ritonavir. Ritonavir slows the hepatic clearance of PIs, increasing plasma concentration and allowing the us eof lower, and less frequent doses. Atazanavir, boosted with ritonavir, is approved for once-daily use, is an internationally preferred first-line agent (in combination with a backbone of two nucleosides [NRTI]) and the most commonly prescribed PI in the UK. Once-daily atazanavir/ritonavir with two NRTI is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for people living with HIV infection. The most common adverse event associated with atazanavir use is unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. This is observed in over 40% of patients and up to 5% of patients discontinue the drug due jaundice and/or scleral icterus.

Truvada is a fixed dose combination of two NRTI, tenofovir (245mg) and emtricitabine (200mg), administered as one tablet once daily. Truvada is a preferred NRTI backbone in national and international guidelines and the first line, therefore most commonly used, NRTI backbone in our unit.

Benefits of atazanavir/ritonavir compared with alternative agents include once daily dosing, low pill burden, low rates of gastro-intestinal toxicity and, importantly in a patient population already at an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, a favourable lipid profile. If a simple intervention could reduce the incidence of hyperbilirubinaemia this could reduce the risk of treatment discontinuation/switch. The aim of this study is to explore the benefit, and safety, of adding zinc sulphate in patients on a stable regimen of Truvada, atazanavir and ritonavir.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 65 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

The ability to understand and sign a written informed consent form, prior to participation in any screening procedure and must be willing to comply with all study requirements

Receiving an antiretroviral regimen of Truvada and atazanavir/ritonavir for more than 3 months.

Serum total bilirubin concentration greater than 25 micromol/L

Agrees not to change regimen, outside the study recommendations, from baseline until end of the treatment period unless this is medically indicated as decided by their treating physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

Any serious or active medical or psychiatric illness, which, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with subject treatment, assessment, or compliance with the protocol. This would include any active clinically significant renal, cardiac, hepatic, pulmonary, vascular, metabolic disorders or malignancy.

Body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2

Presence of any current active AIDS defining illness (Category C conditions according to the CDC Classification System for HIV Infection 1993) with the following exceptions:

• Stable cutaneous Kaposi's Sarcoma

Clinically relevant alcohol or drug use (positive urine drug screen, with the exception of cannabinoids) or history of alcohol or drug use considered by the Investigator to be sufficient to hinder compliance with treatment, follow-up procedures or evaluation of adverse events.

The use of zinc supplements for 1 month before screening and disallowed concomitant therapy (See Concomitant Medication and treatment, section 5.2) or medication that may interfere with the study results (as determined by the principal investigator).

Females of childbearing potential who are not using effective non-hormonal birth control methods or not willing to continue using these birth control methods for at least 14 days after the end of the treatment period.

Previous allergy to any of the constituents of the zinc sulphate tablets administered in this trial.

Exposure to any investigational drug or placebo within 4 weeks of first dose of study drug

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01475227